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Best Chromebooks (July 2017)

In May of 2011 the Chromebook line was first announced, immediately finding itself a target of mixed reception. Many felt a computer that was “limited to the web” would ultimately struggle to find a following, and yet despite this the Chromebook market has exploded in recent years.

While the Chromebook market might still be a very niche one, there a growing number of people that are looking for an affordable, virus-free computing experience that serves as their gateway to the web. The fact that Chrome OS only has a number of true offline apps simply doesn’t matter to this type of web-centric user. Especially now that a growing number of new devices are starting to offer Android app support via Google Play.

Wondering which Chromebook to buy? Google can help you pick

April 12, 2016

In the early days, there were only a limited number of Chromebooks to choose from, but in 2016 there are dozens of models to pick from. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a few models that we feel are the very best Chromebooks on offer right now.

Samsung Chromebook Pro and Plus

Samsung took the wraps off of the new kings of the Chromebook jungle back at CES this year, the Chromebook Pro and Plus, and these are definitely going to be the devices to beat in this segment. Both these devices offer the capability of rotating the display a full 360 degrees to use them in a tablet mode, but that isn’t all these have to offer.

The best part, obviously, about both these Chromebooks is that they will be among the first to be able to run Android applications. The execution may be a touch lacking as we found in our review, but the idea is chock full of potential, and adds a whole other layer of productivity to the rather simple Chrome OS. Both also come with a S-Pen like stylus that comes with a lot of the features of its smartphone counterpart.

Both the Pro and Plus feature beautiful 12.3-inch LED display with a 2400 x 1600 resolution, 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, two USB Type-C ports, and a headphone jack, and the clickpad, keyboard, and general dimensions are identical as well. The only real difference between the two is that the Plus is powered by an ARM-based chipset, whereas the Pro comes with a more powerful Intel Core m3 processor.

The Samsung Chromebook Plus is currently available for a discounted $378.74, and the Pro is currently available with a price point of $549.99. Without a doubt, if you are looking for unique features you won’t find elsewhere, then you’ll easily agree that the new Samsung line is one of the best Chromebooks on the market.

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ASUS Chromebook Flip C302CA

We already loved the Flip series, but it’s weaker processor made it hard to consider it one of the best Chromebooks out there. Thankfully, the latest generation of the ASUS Chromebook Flip has received a significant upgrade when compared to its predecessor, with it now being powered by an Intel Core m3 processor, and featuring a larger 12.5-inch display with a Ful HD resolution.

It retains the portability and multi-purpose features of the previous generation though, and remains ideal for those looking for a single device that can function as both a Chromebook for basic productivity, and a tablet for media consumption.

As good as its predecessor was, the Chromebook Flip an upgrade is specifications and features was required to have it compete more effectively against other current generation Chromebooks. These upgrades are not without their consequences though, with the price point being bumped up significantly as well, with the latest Chromebook Flip being currently priced at $469.

HP Chromebook 13 G1

Normally when we think of Chromebooks, what we’re imagining is something affordable and basic. Indeed, there aren’t really many options for anyone looking to run a more upscale Chrome OS experience. If budget isn’t your priority, but you’re not quite willing to go all out for the now retired Pixel, then the HP Chromebook 13 G1 might just be the device for you.

This version of the HP Chromebook 13 sports an Intel Pentium processor powered by 4GB of RAM. For productive members of society on the go, the HP Chromebook 13 G1 comes with a 13.3-inch display with a 3200 x 1800 resolution, You’ll naturally find the usual connectivity features like a USB 3.0 port, 2 USB Type-C ports, a headphone jack, a microSD card slot to expand upon its 32 GB SSD, and of course Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.

This version of the HP Chromebook 13 G1 is priced at around $500, placing it in the comfortable middle ground between the standard sub-$350 fare of most Chromebooks and the pricier Pixel.

There are a few other variants available as well, including a lower model powered be an Intel Celeron processor and featuring a 1080p display, and higher-end models, with them being powered by Intel Core m3, m5, or m7 processors, featuring 4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB of RAM, and with them coming with a display resolution of 3200 x 1800 as well. The price goes up to around $1000 depending on the version.

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Acer Chromebook R13

Alongside Samsung, Acer was one of the first manufacturers to jump into the Chromebook fray. Since then, they’ve released numerous models with different screen sizes, processing packages, and more. One of their newer offerings is the Chromebook R13, which features a display that can be rotated a full 360-degrees and is a touch screen, and comes with a premium construction that looks great.

Other specifications include a MediaTek MT8173C quad-core ARM processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of built-in storage, and the rotating touch screen is a 13.3-inch display with a Full HD resolution. One of the biggest selling points of this Chromebook is the impressive battery life that you are able to get. The Acer Chromebook R13 is currently priced at just $349.

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Dell Chromebook 11 3189 for Education

The Dell Chromebook 11 series has seen many an iteration over the years, and the latest series is the 3189. These fall in the affordable segment of Chromebooks and are focused on students as the target market, with features like a spill-resistant keyboard and rubberized edges for drop protection. Priced between $320 and $400, there are a few variants of the Chromebook 3189 that are available.

All versions of the device come with an 11.6-inch display with a HD resolution, and all of are touch screens that can be rotated 360-degrees. All models are powered by the Intel Celeron N3060 processor and backed by 4 GB of RAM. The only different between the three models is with regards to storage, with options ranging from 16 GB to 64 GB.

Acer Chromebook 14 for Work

The Acer “Chromebooks for Work” series bring a lot of the power to the table, and while it falls in the mid-range to high-end of Chromebooks, it remains relatively affordable when considering its competition running Windows 10 or MacOS.

To start with, this Acer Chromebook looks and feels more premium than its price point would suggest, with its metal chassis, a top cover protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and ultra thin bezels around the display. An added design feature includes a spill resistant keyboard, that diverts an spilled liquid away from internal components and out through two drain holes.

In terms of specifications, you get a 14-inch Full HD display, a choice between an Intel Core i3 or i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage that is further expandable via microSD card, and a battery that promises up to 10 hours of battery life. Depending on the processor you choose, the Acer Chromebook for Work are currently priced at $543 and $686 for the i3 and i5 versions respectively.

Acer Chromebook 15

Alongside Samsung, Acer was one of the first manufacturers to jump into the Chromebook fray. Since then, they’ve released numerous models with different screen sizes, processing packages, and more. One of our favorites, and pretty much the only one if you’re looking for a large display Chromebook is the refreshed Acer Chromebook 15.

The Chromebook 15 is available in a few different iterations with a price point ranging from $299 to to $499 depending on how much power you want with your laptop. You can choose between an Intel Celeron variant which comes with 16 GB of built-in storage, or those with an i3 or i5 processor, which also doubles the storage to 32 GB. All versions of the device come with 4 GB of RAM and 15.6-inch displays with a Full HD resolution.

Best Chromebooks – Conclusion

That’s that! While there are many more models out there, these are the Chromebooks we felt deserved a little extra highlight. Agree with our picks for best Chromebooks on the market right now? Have another you feel deserves a place among the best? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Andrew is one of the three Managing Editors of Android Authority, primarily responsible for the overseeing of US team of writers, in addition to several other projects such as VR Source and more. He loves tech, gaming, his family, and good conversations with like-minded folks.